It’s the incredible true story that you may have never heard of.
The latest film from acclaimed District 9 director Neil Blomkamp, Gran Turismo is a biographical sports drama based not only on the iconic race simulation game from Playstation, but the true story of Jann Mardenborough, a British Gran Turismo player who harnessed his skills from the game and transferred them to a professional racing career.
Heralded as one of the 50 most marketable athletes in the world, Mardenborough’s incredible rise from his simulated surroundings to dominating the racing stage grounds Gran Turismo with an emotional resonance that is sure to take many audience members by surprise.
As the film gears up to ride cineplexes across the globe, Peter Gray spoke with Mardenborough about being the inspiration behind the screen, if his co-stars sought out his advice, and, most importantly, why he listens to Kenny G and Enya before he races?
I feel like I have to get the most important question out of the way first: When did you realise that the music of Kenny G and Enya helped calm you down before a race?
So Neil Blomkamp, the director, he asked me last year, like in June, he wanted to know all of these intricate details about me. He asked (about) what music I listen to before the race, and most of the time I need to be brought down a level, because that’s how I perform. I’ve always loved saxophone music, ever since I was a child. My dad would play it for me, and this particular song by Kenny G always brings me down. I love it. Without fail it brings me down and makes me calm. People find it weird, but for me it’s…I’m in my own world before getting into the car.
Given that this is your story, and you even served as your own stunt double, which I think is incredible, how creatively involved were you in the film? Do you have Archie (Madekwe), Djimon (Honsou) or Geri (Halliwell Horner) coming to you to ask about you and your family as the film’s going on? Or did you step back and let them creative their own versions of the people you know?
I’ve been talking to script writers and producers since 2018. They came over from America and were heavily (in depth) about my life before racing and (my time) during the academy. Before scenes Archie would ask me so many questions. He was very, very attentive. He wanted to know all the details about (my) family. It’s not like he’s replicating how I walk (though). That’s not the vibe. And I’ve been very involved in the scripts as well. They wanted to put out something which is representative of my life, and it’s a very mutual (feeling) of being on the same aligned path. I’m happy with it, because it’s my name that it’s on. I feel great.
I didn’t grow up playing Gran Turismo religiously, but I know the game and have played it every so often, and finding out that there was this story behind it was a massive surprise for me. Has it been surprising for you to have people reach out and have this awareness of your story now?
I was having this conversation, literally at breakfast this morning, and the bubble I’ve been in for 12 years (in motorsports) is very small. Everybody that knew of GT, everybody in that bubble knew of GT academy, and knew of the process of being a gamer. And I assumed that other people did outside of that sphere, so I’m now getting so many messages from people that have seen the movie or know it’s coming out, and they’re so excited. They’ve never heard of or been involved in motorsport, and it shocked me. Not in a way of, like, everybody should know me, but I’m glad that it’s percolating out wider because I just want people to take positivity from it. It’s surprised me in a good way.
I think that’s the best thing to take away from this, as you said, it’s that positivity. It really is one of those films that speaks to someone having a love of something and not being afraid to just go with what you want to do. I think it’s amazing that this film can speak to a whole new generation of people wanting to follow their dreams. Congratulations.
Thank you, man. I appreciate that.
Gran Turismo is screening in Australian theatres from August 10th, 2023.
